When I was 8 years old, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour in my left frontal lobe. Before that, I was constantly in sick bay with headaches, but since migraines ran in my family, no one thought much of it. The turning point came when my mum found me having a tonic-clonic seizure in my bedroom. I remember waking up surrounded by paramedics. A CT scan later revealed the tumour, which was safely removed, and I was seizure-free for 20 months.
Not long after, I was diagnosed with epilepsy—drug-resistant epilepsy. I underwent epilepsy surgery and was seizure-free for almost 10 years. But eventually, the seizures came back—this time daily, and again resistant to medication. I went through a stereo-EEG, which gave me a seizure-free window of four weeks. Unfortunately, I later learned I wasn’t eligible for further surgery, as the seizure focus is too close to the areas controlling language, memory, and personality. For now, the path forward is uncertain, but I hold onto hope that one day something will help me better manage this condition. I would give anything to never experience another seizure again.
A cure would completely change my life — I can’t emphasise enough how much it would mean to me. I would do absolutely anything for that chance, even travel to the ends of the earth.
If a cure existed, I wouldn’t stop at living my own life to the fullest. I would dedicate myself to helping others going through the same challenges. I once dreamed of studying medicine to support people in situations like mine, but right now my health makes that path unfeasible. Still, the desire to make a difference remains just as strong.
Despite all of this, sport has always been where I feel in control of my body, where I excel, and where I feel “normal.” I’ve represented Australia at the Youth Commonwealth Games and World U20 Championships, and I’ve competed nationally in Olympic weightlifting.
To anyone living with epilepsy—whether newly diagnosed, drug-resistant, or somewhere in between—please know that life is still yours to live. Your journey may not look how you first imagined, but you only get one life. Make the most of it, and never stop chasing your dreams.